Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Exactly Which One of These Quotes is Libelous?

Chairman Baucus just came down to the floor and claimed that in noting that in characterizing Donald Berwick’s long history of writings about the British system of socialized medicine and health care rationing, Senator Barrasso had committed “libel” and that “if [Senator Barrasso] were not protected by the speech and debate clause, he’d be subject to a suit for slander.” (Ironically, Senator Baucus also called for ending the politics of destruction – doesn’t suing people for libel and slander classify as such?)

I’ve attached an unofficial transcript of Senator’s Barrasso’s comments, along with a mere sampling of direct quotes (and citations) from Berwick’s writings about his “romance” with socialized medicine, and his support for British systems of rationed health care.  Feel free to decide for yourself who’s libeling whom here…

 

(MR. BARRASSO) { NOT AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT }

HOSPITALS, CUTS TO NURSING HOMES, CUTS TO HOME HEALTH AGENCIES, CUTS WHO HOSPICE TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE FINAL DAYS AND HOURS OF THEIR LIVES. DIDN’T MENTION THAT AT ALL. DIDN’T MENTION THAT THE NEW MEDICARE DIRECTOR, SOMEONE HE’S RECENTLY NAMED, LOVES THE BRITISH HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND SAYS WE’RE GOING TO NEED TO RATION CARE. HE’S PLANNING TO RATION CARE. THE NEW DIRECTOR OF MEDICARE. DIDN’T SEE THAT MENTIONED TO THE SENIORS TODAY.

 

“I fell in love with the NHS…to an American observer, the NHS is such a seductress.”[1]

“The NHS is not just a national treasure; it is a global treasure.  As unabashed fans, we urge a dialogue on possible forms of stabilization to better provide the NHS with the time, space, and constancy of purpose to realize its enormous promise.”[2]

“Cynics beware: I am romantic about the National Health Service; I love it.  All I need to do to rediscover the romance is to look at health care in my own country.”[3]

“The decision is not whether or not we will ration care—the decision is whether we will ration with our eyes open.”[4]

“Here [in Britain], you choose the harder path.  You plan the supply; you aim a bit low; you prefer slightly too little of a technology or a service to too much; then you search for care bottlenecks and try to relieve them.”[5]

 

[1] “Celebrating Quality 1998-2008” by Donald Berwick, speech at London Science Museum, September 30, 2008

[2] “Steadying the NHS” by Donald Berwick and Sheila Leatherman, BMJ July 29, 2006, p. 255

[3] “A Transatlantic Review of the NHS at 60” by Donald Berwick, BMJ July 26, 2008, p. 213

[4] “Rethinking Comparative Effectiveness Research,” An Interview with Dr. Donald Berwick, Biotechnology Healthcare June 2009, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2799075/pdf/bth06_2p035.pdf

[5] “A Transatlantic Review of the NHS at 60” by Donald Berwick, BMJ July 26, 2008, p. 213